Naomi Watts uses Pilates to keep her body toned and abs super tight. Pilates is also fantastic for arms, as seen by her killer upper body! She has been known to follow the Blood Type Diet in her younger years, but now tries to eat healthy and balanced instead.
This exercise incorporates a lot of Pilates exercises along with some great toning moves. Start with a warm up jog for two minutes, then complete each exercise for one minute with a one minute cool down between each circuit. Complete three circuits, total.
Chair Dips
Chair dips are so wonderful for those triceps and that jiggle. Place a chair a few inches behind you and legs stretched out in front. Hands should be facing you and on the seat of the chair with elbows bent, hold you off the ground. Rise up so arms are straight, then bend back down so you are about an inch from sitting down. Complete as many as possible in one minute.
Cobra Push-Ups
Such a fun push-up variation! Get into cobra position with toes on the floor and legs out straight behind you. Shoulders should be down and eyes should be looking up. Bend elbows back so you are completing an almost regular push-up. Complete as many as possible in one minute.
Long Plank Series
This is a great Pilates exercise that incorporates legs, arms, and abs. Start on all fours with abs engaged and shoulders down. Extend one leg, then the other, out so you are in plank position. Lift the right leg up while keeping your body still. Lower, and lift the left leg up. Alternate between left and right twice, then return to all fours. Complete as many as possible in one minute.
Pilates Push-Up
Start standing up with back against a wall. Arch your back downward and roll forward slowly until your hands are on the floor. Walk hands out until you are in plank position, then complete one push-up. Walk hands back until you are standing up with legs against the wall, then roll back up to standing position. Complete as many as possible in two minutes.
Triceps-Hammy
These are super fun and a mix of a few different routines. Start on all fours with back straight. Feel free to use a 3-5 lb. weight if you have one. If not, a water bottle or cat should do. Lift right leg up and extend straight back so it is level with your hips. Lift your left arm up so your elbow has a 90 degree angle and your upper arm is even with your back. Extend arm straight back, hod, then return to the bent position. Complete as many as possible in one minute, then alternate to the left foot and right arm for another minute.
Flight Position
This is a fantastic Pilates position that I had to do all the time in my ballet days. It will work your arms, back abs, and bum. Start laying on your stomach with your nose touching the ground and arms by your side. Lift your body off the ground while keeping hips and toes rooted to the floor. Arms should be activated and straight out behind you. Hold this position for 30 seconds, rest for 5, then hold for another 30. To increase the difficulty, hold the position for one minute without a break.
You can also use this as a tone and stretch pose by interlocking the fingers behind your back. So wonderful after an arm-tastic circuit!
Saturday
Be sure to complete all three workouts on Saturday, but only do one circuit of each. This will get you in red carpet shape for whatever you have planned on Sunday!
